‘It’s evil’: Breast ironing leaves long-term scars for women in Nigeria

Rights groups say the traditional practice that seeks to protect girls from sexual predators is an underreported form of physical mutilation.

Abuja, Nigeria – When children turn 10, their first double-digit milestone is usually a time of excitement. But not for Elizabeth John, who could only feel dread about what was to come.

A day after her 10th birthday, three older women held her legs down firmly as her mother pressed a burning hot pestle against her still-developing breasts, unyielding even as the child screamed in pain. Link to news article can be found here.